Fixing device capable of suppressing contact between tubular member and electric components

Abstract

A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fixing device comprising:
 an endless belt having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; 
 a nip member capable of being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt; 
 a heater spaced apart from the nip member; 
 an electric component including a cable connected to the heater, the cable extending inside the internal space of the endless belt; and 
 a frame for supporting at least a portion of the electric component, the frame comprising a guide portion configured to guide the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt. 
 
     
     
       2. The fixing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a backup member, the nip member and the backup member being capable of nipping the endless belt therebetween to form a nip region between the backup member and the endless belt where a sheet is configured to be conveyed in a conveyance direction,
 wherein the guide portion includes a downstream guide disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
 
     
     
       3. The fixing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the electric component further includes a thermostat, the thermostat being disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the downstream guide. 
     
     
       4. The fixing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the thermostat is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
     
     
       5. The fixing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the cable of the electric component is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the downstream guide. 
     
     
       6. The fixing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a backup member, the nip member and the backup member being capable of nipping the endless belt therebetween to form a nip region between the backup member and the endless belt where a sheet is configured to be conveyed in a conveyance direction,
 wherein the guide portion includes an upstream guide disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
 
     
     
       7. The fixing device according to  claim 6 , wherein the electric component further includes a thermostat, the thermostat being disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the upstream guide. 
     
     
       8. The fixing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a first rib and a second rib spaced apart from the first rib, the cable being supported by the frame between the first rib and the second rib. 
     
     
       9. A fixing device comprising:
 an endless belt having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; 
 a nip member capable of being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt; 
 a heater spaced apart from the nip member; 
 an electric component including a cable, the cable extending inside the internal space of the endless belt; and 
 a frame for supporting at least a portion of the electric component, the frame comprising a guide portion configured to guide the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt. 
 
     
     
       10. The fixing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric component further includes a thermistor. 
     
     
       11. The fixing device according to  claim 10 , wherein the cable includes a first cable extending from the thermistor and a second cable extending from the thermistor. 
     
     
       12. The fixing device according to  claim 11 , wherein the first cable extends from the thermistor in an extending direction, the second cable extending from the thermistor in the extending direction. 
     
     
       13. The fixing device according to  claim 10 , further comprising a backup member, the nip member and the backup member being capable of nipping the endless belt therebetween to form a nip region between the backup member and the endless belt where a sheet is configured to be conveyed in a conveyance direction,
 wherein the guide portion includes a downstream guide disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
 
     
     
       14. The fixing device according to  claim 13 , wherein the thermistor is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the downstream guide. 
     
     
       15. The fixing device according to  claim 14 , wherein the thermistor is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
     
     
       16. The fixing device according to  claim 13 , wherein the cable of the electric component is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the downstream guide. 
     
     
       17. The fixing device according to  claim 10 , further comprising a backup member, the nip member and the backup member being capable of nipping the endless belt therebetween to form a nip region between the backup member and the endless belt where a sheet is configured to be conveyed in a conveyance direction,
 wherein the guide portion includes an upstream guide disposed upstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
 
     
     
       18. The fixing device according to  claim 17 , wherein the thermistor is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the upstream guide. 
     
     
       19. The fixing device according to  claim 17 , wherein the thermistor is disposed downstream in the conveyance direction relative to the nip region. 
     
     
       20. The fixing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the frame includes a first rib and a second rib spaced apart from the first rib, the cable being supported by the frame between the first rib and the second rib.